Lakers Sweep Back-to-Back, LeBron Leads the Way in Win Over Hawks

The Los Angeles Lakers continued their strong play, sweeping a back-to-back set with a 119-102 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday. This win marked their third in four games during their homestand and extended their strong run, with eight wins in their last 11 games.

While the Lakers had their fair share of mistakes, including 18 turnovers and allowing Atlanta to get to the free-throw line too often, they also showed off their strengths. Los Angeles dominated the boards, grabbed 13 of 30 from beyond the arc, and received solid contributions from their bench. The Hawks struggled with their shooting, especially from three-point range, helping the Lakers secure a comfortable win.

Let’s break down the performances in this game, with grades based on individual expectations:

LeBron James
30 minutes, 30 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists, 13-20 FG, 2-5 3PT, 2-2 FT, +4
LeBron James had a fantastic finish to the homestand, displaying his shooting prowess and stamina despite playing a tough back-to-back. Over the two games, James shot 28-45 from the field and 9-15 from three. His incredible shot-making, especially in the fourth quarter, helped seal the win for the Lakers.
Grade: A

Anthony Davis
37 minutes, 18 points, 19 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks, 6-17 FG, 0-2 3PT, 6-7 FT, +17
While Davis’ shooting wasn’t perfect, his impact was felt on both ends of the court. He dominated defensively, especially at the rim, and was crucial in preventing the Hawks from making easy baskets. His 19 rebounds were key in securing the win for the Lakers.
Grade: A

Austin Reaves
39 minutes, 20 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 6-18 FG, 3-7 3PT, 5-6 FT, +18
Reaves had a mixed performance, shooting 11-33 in the two games of the back-to-back. His ball-handling was a concern against Atlanta, contributing six turnovers, and he struggled against perimeter defenders like Dyson Daniels.
Grade: C

Rui Hachimura
24 minutes, 13 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 6-9 FG, 1-3 3PT, 0-1 FT, +10
Rui had an efficient performance, finding success with baseline cuts and making easy baskets around the rim. His play off the Lakers’ stars was important to the team’s overall success, even if he remains inconsistent at times.
Grade: B+

Max Christie
32 minutes, 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 3-4 FG, 1-2 3PT, 2-3 FT, +14
Christie followed up his career-high performance with a solid but quieter outing. The LeBron-Christie two-man game still needs refinement, but his contributions were valuable to the team’s success.
Grade: B

Dorian Finney-Smith
23 minutes, 8 points, 5 rebounds, 3-5 FG, 2-3 3PT, +12
Finney-Smith continued to impact the game without always showing up in the box score. His timely shooting and overall presence on the floor were key factors in the Lakers’ success.
Grade: B+

Cam Reddish
13 minutes, 3 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1-2 FG, 1-2 3PT, +1
Reddish’s role continues to be limited, and his minutes are expected to shrink as the roster gets healthier. His shooting was efficient in limited minutes, but not much more is expected from him at this stage.
Grade: B

Shake Milton
13 minutes, 2 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 0-3 FG, 0-2 3PT, 2-2 FT, +1
Milton filled a spot as a third point guard but struggled with his shooting, finishing the game without a field goal. His impact was limited, but he provided brief relief for the Lakers in a blowout win.
Grade: B+

Jaxson Hayes
11 minutes, 3 points, 1 rebound, 1-2 FG, 1-2 FT, +0
Hayes’ game remains a work in progress as he works back from injury. With limited minutes, it’s hard to make definitive judgments, but his impact is still secondary to other players.
Grade: B-

Dalton Knecht
15 minutes, 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 4-7 FG, 3-4 3PT, 2-2 FT, +6
Knecht had a strong outing off the bench, showcasing his shooting ability with a trio of three-pointers. It’s good to see him break through after some struggles earlier in the season.
Grade: A-

Bronny James
Played 1:41 in his first NBA minutes since December 8. No grade.

Coach’s Review
The Lakers’ lineup adjustments and rotations seem to be clicking, even if there are still areas to improve, particularly with the LeBron-Christie pairing. The decision to challenge an out-of-bounds call early on seemed unnecessary, but the coaching staff’s overall approach continues to show positive results.
Grade: B+

With the win, the Lakers continue to build momentum and move up in the Western Conference standings. The team’s balance, strong defense, and leadership from LeBron and Davis have been central to their recent success.